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Gaza (AFP / Reuters) - A British journalist who was arrested Hamas in the Gaza Strip last month and held for nearly four weeks on charges of being Israeli spies, released Thursday, said lawyer and Palestinian officials.

Paul Martin was arrested February 14 while visiting a Hamas-controlled Gaza to provide information in a trial in court in a case involving a local citizen accused of working with Israeli security services.

Martin's lawyer, Sharhabeel Al Zaeem, told the Reuters that he expects journalists released immediately without being punished and will be submitted to the British consular officials and South Africa. They will escort him out of Gaza into Israel Thursday evening.

"Paul Martin will be discharged today," said one senior source in the Palestinian government of Hamas-controlled Gaza, told Reuters.

Martin is based in London, 50-year-old reportedly often send news to television and newspapers from Gaza. British officials said that during his arrest they provide consular assistance. They did not say much public comment about selaini this case.

The groups criticized the human rights of Hamas and the Palestinian government led by President Mahmoud Abbas who control the West Bank territory occupied by Israel, because the holding journalists and inhibit freedom of the media.